By Ben Blanchard and Ann Wang
HUALIEN, Taiwan (Reuters) – Taiwan President Lai Ching-te thanked the fighter pilots who fought against China last week during war games on the island, as he was briefed on developments at an air base on the island. head on this Tuesday.
China, which claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, began two days of drills last Thursday in what it called “punishment” for Lai’s inauguration speech that week. Taiwan condemned the exercises.
China says Lai is a “separatist” and has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Lai rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide its future, and has repeatedly offered negotiations.
Visiting Hualien air base on the east coast, which is home to Taiwan’s most advanced fighter jets, the F-16V, Lai had lunch with some of the pilots who fought during the exercises.
“I would like to thank all brothers and sisters for maintaining their posts and protecting national security,” he added. “In recent days, in response to Chinese military exercises, everyone has done a good job.”
Lai said he received detailed instructions on the response of the pilots and the skills of the Taiwanese fighters.
“Everyone is on standby in 24-hour shifts to carry out aerial patrol missions,” he added. “With firm determination and excellent combat skills, you are making full use of air combat power and protecting our airspace.”
The soldiers also demonstrated loading and firing shells for Lai.
Some hangars at the Hualien base were carved into the side of a mountain to protect them from air attacks.
Taiwan has converted 141 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16A/B jets to the F-16V type and has also ordered 66 aircraft with new avionics, weapons and radar systems to better counter the Chinese air force, including its J-20 stealth fighters.
The F-16Vs can also carry Raytheon Technologies Corp.’s advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
The Taiwanese government claims that because the People’s Republic of China has never ruled the island, it has no right to claim it or decide its future.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Ann Wang; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
